Material flow amplifier

ABSTRACT

Material flow amplifiers as disclosed herein overcome drawbacks associated with known adverse flow conditions (e.g., surface erosion and head losses) that arise from flow of certain types of materials (e.g., fluids, slurries, particulates, flowable aggregate, and the like) through a material flow conduit. Such material flow amplifiers provide for flow of flowable material within a flow passage of a material flow conduit (e.g., a portion of a pipeline, tubing or the like) to have a cyclonic flow (i.e., vortex or swirling) profile. Advantageously, the cyclonic flow profile centralizes flow toward the central portion of the flow passage, thereby reducing magnitude of laminar flow. Such cyclonic flow profile provides a variety of other advantages as compared to a parabolic flow profile (e.g., increased flow rate, reduce inner pipeline wear, more uniform inner pipe wear, reduction in energy consumption, reduced or eliminated slugging and the like).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional utility patent application claims priority fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 62/917,233, filed 29Nov. 2018, entitled “Multi-Chambered Vortex Pipeline Amplifier (FullyPiggable)”, having a common applicant herewith and being incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to structural devices usedfor transmission of flowable materials and, more particularly, todevices used for enhancing flow attributes of material within a materialflow conduit such as a pipeline or a tubular flow member.

BACKGROUND

The need to flow materials (i.e., flowable material) through a materialflow conduit is well known. Examples of such materials include, but arenot limited to, fluids, slurries, particulates, flowable aggregate, andthe like. Examples of such material flow conduit include, but are notlimited to, pipes, pipelines, conduits, tubular flow members, and thelike.

As shown in FIG. 1, conventional low of flowable material 5 within aflow passage 10 of a material flow conduit 15 has a flow profilecharacterized by laminar flow effect (i.e., laminar flow 20). Theparabolic flow profile is a result of the laminar boundary layer alongthe surface of the material flow conduit 15 defining the flow passage10. Flowable material at the surface of the flow passage 10 exhibitsconsiderable friction and zero flow velocity, thereby reducing velocityof the flowable material even at a considerable distance from thesurface of the flow passage 10. In association with this reducedvelocity, the laminar flow effect (e.g., friction at the surface of thematerial flow conduit) is known to increase head loss and heating of theflowable material.

There are various well-known flow consideration that arises whenabrasive material flows through a material flow conduit such as apipeline. One such consideration is erosion (i.e., wearing) of thematerial flow conduit. Transport and pumping flowable materialcomprising abrasive contents, such as coal and sand slurries, wet sand,gravel and the like can cause especially high costs associated withcomponent wear due to interaction between the flowable material and thesurface defining the passage through which such material flows.Additionally, uneven erosion in piping systems, especially elbowfittings, is well known to lead to fitting failure or early fittingreplacement, either of which is costly in material, manpower anddowntime.

When fluids or flowable material passes through an elbow fitting, thechange in direction creates turbulent conditions, flow separation andvortex shedding along the pipe wall at the inside of the bend. Thischange in direction may also create standing eddies causing backflowconditions at points along the elbow fitting pipe walls. Theseconditions generally cause the elbow fitting pipe wall along the outsideof the bend to erode substantially faster than the pipe wall along theinside of the bend because the flowable material impinges directlyagainst the wall along the outside of the bend as it enters the fittingand changes direction. Additionally, due to centrifugal force, heaviersolids and particulates are generally thrown to the outside wall as theflowable material changes direction and tend to continually scour theouter wall.

A similar uneven erosion effect is often experienced in long straightpipe runs. For example, the concentration of particulates of a flowablematerial will increase in the lower region of the fluid in long straightruns, making the bottom portion of the fluid stream more abrasive thanthe upper portion. Additionally, in large diameter piping systems, theweight of the flowable material is borne by the lower pipe wall portionthereby causing higher erosion rates.

Another well-known flow consideration that arises is head loss due toturbulence and flow separation in an elbow fitting. Higher pumpingpressures can be utilized for mitigating this head loss resulting fromsuch head losses. However, higher pumping pressures are generallyimplemented at the expense of higher energy consumption and associatedcost. Additionally, implementation of higher pumping pressures oftencreates vibration and heating problems in the piping system.

Long radius elbow fittings and pipe sections can reduce these adverseflow considerations. However, long radius fittings require a great dealof space relative to standard (i.e., short) radius fittings.Additionally, long radius fittings still suffer accelerated erosionrates along the pipe wall along the outside of the bend becausecentrifugal force still causes heavier, more abrasive flowable materialsto be thrown to the outer wall, and they are continually scoured byon-going flow of such flowable material.

Therefore, a device that overcomes drawbacks associated with known flowconsiderations that arise from flow of abrasive material flowing througha material flow conduit would be beneficial, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device thatovercomes drawbacks associated with known adverse flow conditions inpipe structures through a mechanical flow pumping device or a gravityflow system (e.g., surface erosion, head losses, fluid cavitation,heating, etc.) that arise from flow of certain types of materials (e.g.,fluids, slurries, particulates, flowable aggregate, and the like)through a material flow conduit. A material flow amplifier in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention provides for flowof flowable material within a flow passage of a material flow conduit(e.g., a portion of a pipeline, tubing or the like) to have a cyclonicflow (i.e., vortex or swirling) profile. Advantageously, such a cyclonicflow profile centralizes flow toward the central portion of the flowpassage, thereby reducing magnitude of a laminar flow. Such cyclonicflow profile provides a variety of other advantages as compared to aparabolic flow profile resulting from laminar flow (e.g., increased flowrate, reduce inner pipeline wear, more uniform inner pipe wear,reduction in energy consumption, reduced or eliminated slugging and thelike).

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a material flowamplifier comprises an amplifier body, at least one helix vane, and acentralizer tube. The amplifier body has a flow inlet structure, a flowexpander, a vortex chamber, a flow mixer and a flow outlet structure allin fluid communication with each other for forming a fluid flow paththerethrough. The flow expander extends from the flow inlet structure,the vortex chamber extends from the flow expander, the flow mixerextends from the vortex chamber, and the flow outlet structure extendsfrom the flow mixer. The at least one helix vane is within the vortexchamber and extends at least intermittently (or, in some embodiments,continually) from a helix vane first end proximate the flow expander toa helix vane second end proximate the flow mixer. At least a portion ofan outer edge portion of the at least one helix vane is attached to aninterior surface of the amplifier body within the vortex chamber. The atleast one helix vane includes a material impinging surface oriented atan angle of incidence to the flowable material entering the vortexchamber from the flow expander. The centralizer tube is within theamplifier body extending at least a portion of the length of the vortexchamber. At least a portion of an inner edge portion of the at least onehelix vane is attached to an exterior surface of the centralizer tube.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, an elbow flowamplifier comprises an amplifier body, a plurality of helix vanes and acurved centralizer tube. The amplifier body has a flow inlet structure,a flow expander, a curved vortex chamber, a flow mixer and a flow outletstructure all in fluid communication with each other for forming a fluidflow path therethrough. The flow expander extends from the flow inletstructure, the vortex chamber extends from the flow expander, the flowmixer extends from the vortex chamber and the flow outlet structureextends from the flow mixer. The plurality of helix vanes is within thevortex chamber and extends from a helix vane first end proximate theflow expander to a helix vane second end proximate the flow mixer. Anouter edge portion of each of the helix vanes is attached to an interiorsurface of the amplifier body within the vortex chamber. Each of thehelix vanes includes a material impinging surface oriented at an angleof incidence to the flowable material entering the vortex chamber fromthe flow expander. The curved centralizer tube is within the amplifierbody and extends at least a portion of the length of the curved vortexchamber. An inner edge portion of each of the helix vanes is attached toan exterior surface of the curved centralizer tube. A centerline axis ofthe curved centralizer tube extends along a centerline axis of thecurved vortex chamber.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a material flowamplifier comprises a flow inlet structure, a flow expander, a vortexflow inducer, a flow mixer, and a flow outlet structure. The flow inletstructure defines a nominal cross-sectional flow area. The flow expanderincludes an upstream portion thereof attached to and concentric with thedownstream portion of the flow inlet structure. The flow expanderincludes a downstream portion thereof having a first expandedcross-sectional flow area relative to the nominal cross-sectional flowarea. The vortex flow inducer comprises an exterior tubular body, acentralizer tube, and at least one at least one helical flow passage. Anupstream portion of the exterior tubular body is attached to andconcentric with a downstream portion of the flow expander. Thecentralizer tube extends at least a portion of the length of theexterior tubular body and has a cross-sectional flow area along anentire length thereof at least about the same as the nominalcross-sectional flow area. The at least one helical flow passage extendsbetween the exterior tubular body and the centralizer tube and extendsat least partially along a length of the centralizer tube. The at leastone helical flow passage includes a material impinging surface orientedat an angle of incidence to the flowable material entering the exteriortubular body from the flow expander. A centerline axis of thecentralizer tube extends along a centerline axis of the exterior tubularbody. The flow mixer includes an upstream portion thereof having asecond expanded cross-sectional flow area attached to and concentricwith a downstream portion of the exterior tubular body. The secondexpanded cross-sectional flow area is smaller than the first expandedcross-sectional flow area. At least the upstream portion of the flowmixer is cylindrical. The flow outlet structure includes an upstreamportion thereof attached to and concentric with a downstream portion ofthe flow mixer. The flow outlet structure has a downstream portion witha cross-sectional flow area at least about the same as the nominalcross-sectional flow area.

In one or more embodiments, a material flow amplifier can include aplurality of helix vanes.

In one or more embodiments, the helix vane first end of one or more ofthe helix vanes can be located adjacent to or within the flow expanderand the helix vane second end of one or more of the helix vanes can belocated within the vortex chamber.

In one or more embodiments, the centralizer tube can have across-sectional flow area along an entire length thereof at least aboutthe same as the nominal cross-sectional flow area.

In one or more embodiments, a length of the centralizer tube is lessthan a length of the vortex chamber.

In one or more embodiments, the flow inlet structure, the flow expander,the vortex chamber, the flow mixer and the flow outlet structure can allbe concentric with each other.

In one or more embodiments, a centerline axis of the vortex chamber canbe curved.

In one or more embodiments, the flow mixer can include a cylindricalportion extending from the vortex chamber and a convergent portionextending from the cylindrical portion.

In one or more embodiments, the convergent portion of the flow mixer canhave a curved sidewall profile or a straight-taper sidewall profile.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions ofthe present invention will become readily apparent upon further reviewof the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing laminar flow effect within amaterial flow conduit.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing conversion from a laminar floweffect to rotation flow effect by a material flow amplifier configuredin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a straight-line material flow amplifierconfigured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a first perspective ornamental view of an amplifier body ofthe material flow amplifier (i.e., a cyclonic flow includer) shown inFIG. 3, wherein the broken line(s) shown is(are) included for thepurpose of illustrating subject matter that can be an unclaimed portionof the ornamental design.

FIG. 7 is second perspective ornamental view of the amplifier body ofthe material flow amplifier shown in FIG. 3, wherein the broken line(s)shown is(are) included for the purpose of illustrating subject matterthat can be an unclaimed portion of the ornamental design.

FIG. 8 is a top ornamental view of the amplifier body of the materialflow amplifier shown in FIG. 3, wherein bottom, left and rightornamental views are identical to the top view, wherein the brokenline(s) shown is(are) included for the purpose of illustrating subjectmatter that can be an unclaimed portion of the ornamental design.

FIG. 9 is a front end ornamental view of the amplifier body of thematerial flow amplifier shown in FIG. 3, wherein the broken line(s)shown is(are) included for the purpose of illustrating subject matterthat can be an unclaimed portion of the ornamental design.

FIG. 10 is a rear end view of the amplifier body of the material flowamplifier shown in FIG. 3, wherein the broken line(s) shown is(are)included for the purpose of illustrating subject matter that can be anunclaimed portion of the ornamental design.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an elbow material flowamplifier configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view showing the guide body lock of theimplanted article physical referencing apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to material flowamplifiers that provide for increased volumetric flow rates for flowablematerial (e.g., fluids, slurries, particulates, flowable aggregate, andthe like) and reductions in wear to material flow conduits through whichflow of such flowable materials is provided. These material flowamplifiers induce a cyclonic (i.e., a vortex or swirling) flow profilethat advantageously overcomes drawbacks associated with known adverseflow conditions (e.g., internal pipe wall erosion, head losses, materialheating) that can arise from flow of various types of flowable materialsflowing through a material flow conduit in a conventional manner (e.g.,under laminar flow effect).

As discussed above in reference to FIG. 1, conventional of flowablematerial 5 within a flow passage 10 of a material flow conduit 15 has aflow profile characterized by laminar flow effect (i.e., laminar flow20). However, advantageously, material flow amplifier 1 in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention is configured in amanner that causes conventional flow to be transformed from a flowprofile characterized by laminar flow effect to a flow profile beingcharacterized by cyclonic flow effect (i.e., cyclonic flow 25). Cyclonicflow effect is the result of rotational movement also known as whirlpoolmovement of the flowable material 5 about the longitudinal axis L1 ofthe material flow conduit 15 as generated by the material flow amplifier1. As a person or ordinary skill in the art will understand (e.g., asdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2), cyclonic flow provides greater average flowvelocity and volumetric flow than laminar flow for a given material flowconduit. Additionally, cyclonic flow mitigates adverse interactionbetween the surface of the material flow conduit and the flowablematerial. These advantageous aspects of cyclonic flow arise from thecyclonic flow profile accelerating and centralizing flow of the flowablematerial toward the central portion of the flow passage 10, therebymitigating associated adverse flow conditions and amplifying flowmagnitude. The vortex generated in the amplifier also creates asiphoning effect at the inlet creating a “Push-Pull” effect of thefluid. Such cyclonic flow profile generated by the material flowamplifier 1 provides a variety of other advantages as compared to alaminar flow profile (e.g., increased flow rate, reduce inner pipelinewear, more uniform inner pipe wear, reduction in energy consumption,reduced or eliminated slugging and the like).

Generation of the cyclonic flow profile is produced by a siphoning(e.g., push-pull) effect exhibited at an upstream portion of thematerial flow amplifier 1. The upstream side of the flow amplifier(i.e., upstream of the flow expander) defines its suction side and thedownstream side of the output side of the flow amplifier (i.e.,downstream of the flow mixer) defines its suction side. The rotationalflow creates a siphoning action on the suction side of the material flowamplifier, which can contribute up to about 20% or more of the totalflow amplification. The siphoning effect generates material flowmomentum, which is beneficial for flowable material transfer. One suchbeneficial aspect of flowable material transfer is that the volume offluid transfer is greatly increased because pumping energy is not usedto overcome side wall drag associated with laminar flow. In contrast,this pumping energy is advantageously used to generate greater flowvelocity and volumetric flow.

As will also become apparent from the disclosures made herein, materialflow amplifiers in accordance with embodiments of the present inventionadvantageously drive flowable material flow toward a focal point along acenterline axis of the material flow conduit. Without this focal pointfunctionality, material flow leaving the flow amplifier would be that ofa centrifuge—i.e., material being undesirably accelerated and driventoward the interior surface of the material flow conduit. In contrast,by driving the flowable material toward the centerline axis of thematerial flow conduit, the amount of flowable material at the interiorsurface of the material flow conduit is greatly reduced as compared tolaminar flow or centrifuge-induced flow. Additionally, by drivingflowable material flow toward the focal point of the material flowamplifier, a portion of the flowable material (i.e., generallynon-rotating flowable material) becomes trapped between the insidesurface of the material flow conduit (e.g., pipeline) and the exteriorboundary of the rotationally flowing flowable material, thereby becomingan interface material for the rotationally flowing flowable materialthat serves to lower the effective coefficient of friction exhibited atthe exterior boundary of the rotationally flowing flowable material(i.e., flowing of flowable material upon like material as opposed tomaterial of the material flow conduit).

Accordingly, in view of the material flow being driven toward thecenterline axis of the material flow conduit (i.e., toward the focalpoint of the material flow amplifier), the rotational flow profileprovided for by flow amplifiers in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention is propagated (e.g., because a large amount of theside wall drag is eliminated) and pipe wear is thus dramaticallyreduced.

To maintain the beneficial effects of cyclonic flow, one or moreadditional material flow amplifiers can be provided downstream of aninitial material flow amplifier. The distance between amplifiers isproportional to system attributes such as, for example, pipe size,volume of fluid desired flow rates, pipeline's layout, terrain (e.g.,elevation grade) and the like. The objective of placement andconfiguration of the material flow amplifier is to reduce side walldrag, thereby increasing flow and utilizing the full potential of thecross-sectional flow area of a material flow conduit.

In a conventional pipe structure, internal pipe wear occurs unevenlybecause of the concentration of wear particles scuffing the lowest areaof the pipe. In a conventional piping system heavier particle fall outand drag along the bottom of the pipe structure. The vortex action(whirlpool) condition keeps particles suspended. In all flow directionalchanges such as in elbow pipes, the same particles are thrown to theoutside as if it were in a centrifuge. In contrast, cyclonic flow asprovided for by material flow amplifiers in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention acts as to focus flowable materialflow through more uniformly across the centerline and cross-sectionportion of the of the material flow conduit with less boundary layercontact. Thus, the use of one or more material flow amplifiers inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention canmitigate uneven wear and erosion within material flow conduit.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-10, specific aspects of a straight-linematerial flow amplifier 100 in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present invention are discussed. The straight-line material flowamplifier 100 includes a flow inlet structure 102, a flow expander 104,a vortex flow inducer 106, a flow mixer 108, and a flow outlet structure110. The flow inlet structure 102, the flow expander 104, the vortexflow inducer 106, the flow mixer 108, and the flow outlet structure 110are all in fluid communication with each other for forming a fluid flowpath therethrough along the longitudinal axis L2 of the straight-linematerial flow amplifier 100. In preferred embodiments, as shown, theflow inlet structure 102, the flow expander 104, the vortex flow inducer106, the flow mixer 108, and the flow outlet structure 110 areconcentric with each other (e.g., have aligned longitudinal axes andcommon cross-sectional shapes).

The flow inlet structure 102 includes an upstream portion 112 and adownstream portion 114. In preferred embodiments, the upstream portion112 and the downstream portion 114 of the flow inlet structure 102 areof the same shape and size. However, in other embodiments, the shapeand/or size of the upstream portion 112 and the downstream portion 114of the flow inlet structure 102 can be different. The flow inletstructure 102 defines a nominal cross-sectional flow area, which can bemore specifically defined by dimensional attributes of the upstreamportion 112 or the downstream portion 114 of the flow inlet structure102. For example, where the stream portion 112 and the downstreamportion 114 of the flow inlet structure 102 have the same size and shape(e.g., a round shape of a given diameter), the nominal cross-sectionalflow area is a circular area of a given among of magnitude.

The flow expander 104 includes an upstream portion 116 and a downstreamportion 118. The upstream portion 116 of the flow expander 104 isattached to the downstream portion 114 of the flow inlet structure 102.The downstream portion 118 of the flow expander 104 has a first expandedcross-sectional flow area relative to the nominal cross-sectional flowarea. In preferred embodiments, the first expanded cross-sectional flowarea of the flow expander 104 is established by the flow expandertransitioning from a diameter at its upstream portion 116 that isapproximately equal to the diameter of the downstream portion of theflow inlet structure 102 to a diameter that is greater than the diameterof the downstream portion of the flow inlet structure 102.

Jointly, the flow inlet structure 102 and the flow expander 104 form theprofile of an inverted funnel (i.e., expanding material flow as opposedto converging it). This inversed funnel profile causes flowable materialmoving through the flow expander 104 to decelerate thereby exhibitingdecreased density. This reduction in velocity and decrease in densitycauses an associated increase in volume. In this respect, the flowvolume is expanded as compared to the flow volume at the upstreamportion 116 of the flow expander 104.

The vortex flow inducer 106 includes an exterior tubular body 120, acentralizer tube 122, a plurality of helix vanes 124 and a plurality ofhelical flow passage 126. The flow inlet structure 102, the flowexpander 104, the exterior tubular body 120, the flow mixer 108 and theflow outlet structure 110 jointly define an amplifier body 119. Theexterior tubular body 120 includes an upstream portion 126 and adownstream portion 128. The upstream portion 126 of the exterior tubularbody 120 is attached to the downstream portion 118 of the flow expander104. The centralizer tube 122 is located within the exterior tubularbody 120 and preferably can have a cross-sectional flow area along anentire length thereof that is about the same as the nominalcross-sectional flow area of the flow inlet structure 102 (e.g., samenominal pipe or tube size). Each of the helix vanes 124 extends along atleast a portion of a length of the exterior tubular body 120. All or aportion of an outer edge portion of each of the helix vanes 124 isattached to the exterior tubular body 120 and all or a portion of aninner edge portion of each of the helix vanes 124 is attached to thecentralizer tube 122, thereby defining respective ones of the helicalflow passage 126. Each of the helix vanes 124 and, thus, each of thehelical flow passage 126, includes a material impinging surface 130oriented at an angle of incidence to the flowable material entering theexterior tubular body 120 from the flow expander 104.

The helix vanes 124 can extend approximately an entire length of theexterior tubular body 120. In some embodiments, a helix vane first endof one or more of the helix vanes 124 can be located adjacent to orwithin the flow expander 104 and a helix vane second end of one or moreof the helix vanes 124 can be located within the vortex chamber 106. Inpreferred embodiments, the helix vane first end of all of the helixvanes 124 can be located at a position within the exterior tubular body120 exhibiting at least about 75% of the first expanded cross-sectionalflow area of an upstream portion of the exterior tubular body 120 (i.e.,the upstream portion of the vortex chamber 106) and a helix vane secondend of all of the helix vanes 124 can be located within the vortexchamber 106 proximate a trailing edge of the centralizer tube 122.

The helix vanes 124 each extend helically along a length of the vortexchamber 106. The helix vanes 124 are preferably spaced equidistant fromeach other but can also be spaced apart from each other in anon-equidistant manner. In one or more embodiments, the helical pitch ofeach of the helix vanes 124 is such that each of the helix vanes 124 canhave an angular rotation of from about 90-degrees to about 360-degreesabout the interior of the vortex chamber 106 (e.g., as measured aboutthe longitudinal axis L2 of the straight-line material flow amplifier100). In one or more other embodiments, the helical pitch of each of thehelix vanes 124 is such that each of the helix vanes 124 an have anangular rotation of from about 120-degrees to about 270-degrees aboutthe interior of the vortex chamber 106. In preferred embodiments, eachof the helical flow chambers 126 exhibits a reduction in cross-sectionalarea along its length throughout the spiral wrap creating amplificationand acceleration of the fluid. In yet other embodiments, the pitch ofeach of the helix vanes 124 is such that each of the helix vanes 124 canhave an angular rotation in excess of about 360 degrees or in excess ofabout 540 degrees about the interior of the vortex chamber 106. Ingeneral, overall length of the helix vanes 124 and the length and volumeof the helical flow passages 126 are proportional to the overallmagnitude (i.e., strength) of the cyclonic flow.

The centralizer tube 122 extends at least a portion of the length of theexterior tubular body 120 and has a cross-sectional flow area along anentire length thereof at least about the same as the nominalcross-sectional flow area as defined by the inlet flow structure 102. Inone or more embodiments, the centralizer tube 122 and the exteriortubular body 120 can have a common centerline axis, which is thelongitudinal axis L2 of the straight-line material flow amplifier 100.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the centralizer tube 122and helix vanes 124 have respective lengths such that a leading edge ofthe centralizer tube 122 is spaced away from the downstream portion 116of the flow expander 104, the helix vane first end of one or more of thehelix vanes 124 is located adjacent to or within the flow expander 104and the helix vane second end of all of the helix vanes 124 and thetrailing edge of the centralizer tube 122 are located adjacent to orslightly within the flow expander 104. This relationship is desirable asit permits flowable material entering the vortex flow inducer 106 fromthe flow expander 104 to follow a path of least resistance either intothe centralizer tube 122 or along the material impinging surface 130 ofone of the helix vanes 124 and into the respective one of the helicalflow passage 126 and permits these individual flows of flowable materialto enter the flow mixer 108 with minimal mixing therebetween within thevortex chamber 106. Preferably, the exterior tubular body 120, thecentralizer tube 122 and the helix vanes 124 are jointly configured(e.g., length of the vortex chamber, taper of the vortex chamber, lengthof the centralizer tube, location of leading edge of centralizer tube,pitch and length of helix vanes, surface area of helix vanes, and volumeof material flow passages) such that at least about 65% of the flowablematerial entering the vortex chamber 106 flows in aggregate through thehelical flow passages 126 with the remainder of such flowable materialflowing through the centralizer tube 122.

Still referring to the relationship between the exterior tubular body120, the centralizer tube 122 and the helix vanes 124, in one or moreembodiments, the helix vane first end of all of the helix vanes 124 islocated at a position within the exterior tubular body 120 exhibiting atleast about 75% of the first expanded cross-sectional flow area of anupstream portion of the exterior tubular body 120, each of the helixvanes 124 extends along at least about 60% an entire length of thevortex chamber 106 with an angular rotation of from about 90-degrees toabout 360-degrees about the interior of the exterior tubular body 120,the centralizer tube 122 has a length of at least about 40% the lengthof the helix vanes 124, the centralizer tube 122 has a cross-sectionalflow area along an entire length thereof that is not less than thenominal cross-sectional flow area of the flow inlet structure 102, andboth the centralizer tube 122 and all of the helix vanes 124 (e.g.,inner edges thereof) terminate within the exterior tubular body 120. Inpreferred embodiments, the helix vane first end of all of the helixvanes 124 is located at a position within the exterior tubular body 120exhibiting at least about 90% of the first expanded cross-sectional flowarea of an upstream portion of the exterior tubular body 120, each ofthe helix vanes 124 extends along at least about 80% an entire length ofthe exterior tubular body 120 with an angular rotation of from about120-degrees to about 270-degrees about the interior of the exteriortubular body 120, the centralizer tube 122 has a length of about 50% toabout 75% the length of the helix vanes 124, the centralizer tube 122has a cross-sectional flow area along an entire length thereof that isabout the same as the nominal cross-sectional flow area of the flowinlet structure 102, and both the centralizer tube 122 and all of thehelix vanes 124 terminate within the exterior tubular body 120.

Thus, material flow amplifiers in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention advantageously provide forgeneration of material flow having cyclonic flow. Though use of helicalhelix vanes arranged (e.g., sized and equidistantly spaced) to providehelical flow passage that are enclosed (e.g., sidewalls defined byexterior tubular body, the centralizer tube and adjacent helix vanes)and that are preferably equal in size and volume, resulting cyclonicflow of flowable material flowing through a material flow amplifiers inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention iscontrolled and balanced. In contrast to material flow amplifiers that donot include enclosed helical flow passages, material flow amplifiers inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention exhibitnegligible or no overflow or other flow interaction of flowable materialfrom one helical flow space to another. This isolation of flow mitigatesflow imbalances that can cause flow disturbances resulting in adverseflow conditions (e.g., vibrations in material flow conduit, pulsationsin material flow, eddy currents in material flow, etc.), which caninduce structural damage and limit material flow efficiency.

The flow mixer 108 includes an upstream portion 132 and a downstreamportion 134. The upstream portion 132 of the flow mixer 108 is attachedto the downstream portion 128 of the exterior tubular body 120. Theupstream portion 132 of the flow mixer 108 has a second expandedcross-sectional flow area that is smaller than the first expandedcross-sectional flow area of the flow expander 104. The minimumcross-sectional flow area of the exterior tubular body 120 is generallylocated at the point of attachment of the upstream portion 132 of theflow mixer 108 to the downstream portion 128 of the exterior tubularbody 120, whereby the second expanded cross-sectional flow area isgenerally the same as the minimum cross-sectional flow area of theexterior tubular body 120. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments wherethe exterior tubular body 120 has a round cross-sectional shape, thesecond expanded cross-sectional flow area being smaller than the firstexpanded cross-sectional flow area corresponds to the exterior tubularbody 120 being conically shaped and the helical flow passages 126 beingtapered along their length (i.e., wider upstream and narrowerdownstream).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in preferred embodiments, the flow mixer 108preferably can include a cylindrical portion 136 that defines theupstream portion 132 of the flow mixer 108 and a convergent portion 138that defines the downstream portion 134 of the flow mixer 108. Theconvergent portion 138 can have an inwardly curved sidewall profile(e.g., parabolic-shaped) or a straight-taper sidewall profile. Thecylindrical portion 136 extends for a portion of the overall length ofthe flow mixer 108 and the convergent portion 138 can extend for aremaining portion of the overall length of the flow mixer 108. In someembodiments, the cylindrical portion 136 can be omitted such that theflow mixer 108 consists entirely of the convergent portion 138.

The flow mixer 108 provides a volumetric space in which material flowthrough the helical flow passages 126 and the centralizer tube 122 canmerge together. In contrast to material flow amplifiers with a flowmixer that does not include a cylindrical portion, the cylindricalportion 136 of the flow mixer 108 of material flow amplifiers inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention (e.g.,straight-line material flow amplifier 100) provides a volumetric spacein which the merging flows of material from the vortex flow inducer 106are able to merge prior to being subjected to convergent compression bythe convergent portion 138 of the flow mixer 108. The tapered profile ofconvergent portion 138 of the flow mixer 108 creates a focal point ofthe cyclonic flow of the flowable material. In preferred embodiments,the focal point of the cyclonic flow of the flowable material is locatedprior to the flow outlet structure 110. Accordingly, in view of thedisclosures made herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that the duration of strength of the cyclonic flow downstreamof the material flow amplifier is defined by dimensional and structuralattributes of the flow expander 104, the vortex inducer 106 and the flowmixer 108.

The flow outlet structure 110 includes an upstream portion 140 and adownstream portion 142. In preferred embodiments, the upstream portion140 and the downstream portion 142 of the flow outlet structure 110 areof the same shape and size and can have the same or about samecross-sectional flow area as the inlet flow structure 102 (e.g., thenominal cross-sectional flow area). However, in other embodiments, theshape and/or size of the upstream portion 140 and the downstream portion142 of the flow outlet structure 110 can be different.

Material flow amplifiers in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present invention can have a vortex chamber with a centerline axisthat is curved (i.e., elbow material flow amplifiers). The centerlineaxis of the vortex chamber and its side walls are curved and profiled incompound angles. Such curved centerline axis provides a material flowamplifier in the form commonly referred to as a “pipe elbow”. Pipeelbows are well known to have curvature or from as little as about15-degrees from straight to as much as 90-degrees from straight. It isalso well known that conventional pipe elbows exhibit unbalanced flow.As flowable material is directed around the curvature of the pipe elbow,centrifugal force pushes the flowable material toward the outside radiusof the pipe elbow, thereby causing flow resistance, friction, andpremature pipe wall wear. Advantageously, the structure of the elbowmaterial flow amplifiers configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention serves to promote cyclonic flowtherethrough and thus balanced fluid flow therethrough (i.e., flowuniformly along the centerline axis).

An elbow material flow amplifier 200 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention is shown in FIG. 11. As shown, the elbow materialflow amplifier 200 has an overall construction similar to that of thestraight-line material flow amplifier 100 discussed above in referenceto FIGS. 3-10. The aspects of the elbow material flow amplifier 200 thatare notably different than that of the straight-line material flowamplifier 100 are discussed.

The elbow material flow amplifier 200 provides an amplifier body thatincludes a plurality of amplifier segments—an inlet section 229, a flowexpander section 231, a vortex inducer section 233, a flow mixer section235 and a flow outlet section 237. Jointly, each of these sections229-237 provides the same function as a corresponding section of thestraight-line material flow amplifier 100 discussed above in referenceto FIGS. 3-10. As shown, the vortex inducer section 233 can have a firsthelix vane segment 224A that extends from proximate the flow expandersection 231 and terminate proximate a location where curvature of acentralizer tube 222 of the vortex inducer section 233 begins and canhave a second helix vane segment 224B that extends from proximate alocation where curvature of the centralizer tube 222 of the vortexinducer section 233 ends and terminates proximate the flow mixer section235. An exterior tubular body 220 of the vortex inducer section 233, thefirst helix vane segment 224A, the second helix vane segment 224B andthe centralizer tube 222 can jointly define upstream helical flowpassages 226A, downstream helical flow passages 226B and an intermediateflow passage 226C extending therebetween. Preferably, intermediate flowpassage 226C has no vanes or other internal structure and maintains auniform cross-sectional area along its length, thereby allowingrotational flow from within the upstream helical flow passages 226A tocontinue in an unrestricted manner within the intermediate flow passage226C. In this respect, the helix vanes 224A, 224B and the helical flowpassages 226A, 226B, 226C extend intermittently along the length of theexterior tubular body 220. In one or more other embodiments, a length ofthe intermediate flow passage 226C can be substantially longer thanshown, a length of the intermediate flow passage 226C can besubstantially shorter than shown, the intermediate flow passage 226C canhave a decreasing cross sectional area along its length, and/or theintermediate flow passage 226C can be omitted such that one or morehelical flow passages extend contiguously along at least a portion ofthe length of the centralizer tube 222.

As shown, the centralizer tube 222 terminates at a location after thecurvature of the centralizer tube 222 ends. Such configuration providesfor the downstream helical flow passages 226B to be linear as opposed tohaving curvature. The linear portion of the downstream helical flowpassages 226B (or downstream portion of contiguous helical flowpassages) utilizes natural centrifuge force of material flowing throughthe curved portion of the vortex inducer section 233 to further promoterotational flow In preferred embodiments, a length of such linearportion of the downstream helical flow passages 226B (or downstreamportion of contiguous helical flow passages) is at least about 10% alength of the curved portion of the centralizer tube 222 (as measurealong the centerline thereof) and is preferably at least about 25% thelength of the curved portion of the centralizer tube 222.

Material flow amplifiers in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention can be fabricated utilizing various known and yet to bediscovered materials and fabrication techniques. Examples of usefulmaterial classes include, but are not limited to, metallic material(e.g., metal alloys), concrete (i.e., a cement-based material), andpolymeric materials (e.g., plastics). Examples of useful fabricationtechniques include, but are not limited to, casting forging, welding andthe like for metallic materials and casting, molding, 3-D printing andthe like for polymeric materials.

In one specific implementation of a fabrication technique, as shown inFIGS. 12-13, a material flow amplifier in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention can have a “clamshell”configuration (i.e., clamshell material flow amplifier 300). As shown,the clamshell material flow amplifier 300 has an overall constructionsimilar to that of the straight-line material flow amplifier 100discussed above in reference to FIGS. 3-10. The aspects of the clamshellmaterial flow amplifier 300 that are notably different than that of thestraight-line material flow amplifier 100 are discussed. It is alsodisclosed herein that such clamshell configuration is equally applicableto conventional material flow amplifiers (e.g., those that do notinclude a centralizer tube).

The clamshell material flow amplifier 300 includes opposing amplifierbodies 301A, 301B. The amplifier bodies 301A, 301B jointly define anamplifier body within which a centralizer tube 322, a plurality of helixvanes 324 and helical flow passages 326 (or a single helix vane andcorresponding single helical flow passage). The amplifier body includesa plurality of amplifier segments—an inlet section 329, a flow expandersection 331, a vortex inducer section 333, a flow mixer section 335 anda flow outlet section 337. Jointly, each of these sections 329-337provides the same function as a corresponding section of thestraight-line material flow amplifier 100 discussed above in referenceto FIGS. 3-10.

Advantageously, the clamshell material flow amplifier 300 decouplesfabrication of the amplifier body from internal components disposedtherein. The amplifier bodies 301A, 301B can be fabricated by anysuitable fabrication technique (e.g., casting, forging, hydroforming,machining, 3-D printing or the like) and from any suitable material(e.g., metallic material, polymeric material ceramic material or thelike). Separately, from any suitable material (e.g., metallic material,polymeric material ceramic material or the like), each of the internalcomponents can be independently fabricated using a respective suitablefabrication technique (e.g., shaping, casting, forging, hydro-forming,machining, 3-D printing or the like) and then assembled (e.g., viawelding, bonding or the like) to form an vortex chamber insert 339comprising the centralizer tube 322 and the helix vanes 324 to produce avortex chamber insert 339. Alternatively, the vortex chamber insert 339can be formed in a one-piece manner using by any suitable fabricationtechnique (e.g., casting, forging, hydroforming, machining, 3-D printingor the like) and from any suitable material (e.g., metallic material,polymeric material ceramic material or the like).

The vortex chamber insert 339 is disposed within an interior space of afirst one of the amplifier bodies (e.g., amplifier body 301A) and asecond one of the amplifier bodies (e.g., amplifier body 301B) is thenplaced into mating engagement with the first one of the amplifierbodies. Thus, the internal configuration of the clamshell material flowamplifier 300 can be generally the same as a material flow amplifierhaving a one-piece construction (e.g., cast construction) as shown anddiscussed above in reference to the straight-line material flowamplifier 100 of FIGS. 3-10. The amplifier bodies 301A, 301B can then bepermanently attached to each other such as by, for example, welding,ultrasonic bonding, adhesive, or the like. Optionally, to prevent orlimit relative movement therebetween, the vortex chamber insert 339 canbe secured to at least one of the amplifier bodies 301A, 301B by asuitable technique (e.g., the same technique as used to attach theamplifier bodies to each other. In one or more embodiments, all or aportion of an outer edge of one or more of the helix vanes 324 can beattached to at least one of the amplifier bodies 301A, 301B (e.g., viacontinuous or tack welding directly or through access windows in the Inyet another fabrication approach, all or segments of each of the helixvanes 324 can be formed in conjunction with a respective one of theamplifier bodies 301A, 301B and the centralizer tube placed within acentralizer tube receiving space defined by the helix vane(s) afterengaging the amplifier bodies 301A, 301B with each other. All or aportion of an inner edge of one or more of the helix vanes 324 can beattached to the centralizer tube 322 (e.g., via continuous or tackwelding, via bonding material such as adhesive, or the like).

Discussed now are various advantageous aspects of material flowamplifiers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Onesuch advantageous aspect is that the incorporation of the centralizertube and resulting helical flow passages provide for cyclonic flow. Suchcyclonic flow is characterized by a “top end” or head that is generatedby the flow expander and upstream portion of the vortex chamber and byomnidirectional flow (i.e., generally equal flow in all directionsperpendicular to the axis of rotation). Each of the helical flowpassages then uses the kinetic energy (i.e., energy from motion) and theflow's velocity to generate several stream vanes of material flow (i.e.,helical low streams) that unite in the flow mixer with each other andwith the material flow of a centralized flow stream (i.e., flow of thecentralizer tube). These material flows are then focused by the flowmixer to the centerline of the material flow amplifier, thereby formingthe “tail end” of the cyclonic flow. Beneficially, the flow mixerfurther enhances cyclonic flow and distributes an even (i.e., balanced)cyclonic flow profile about the centerline of the material flowamplifier. Advantageously, inner sidewall conditions of material flowconduit (e.g., pipeline) downstream of a material flow amplifier has anegligible effect on the cyclonic flow. Although there is a great dealof energy loss from a fluid going through certain disruptive materialflow attributes of material flow conduits (e.g., a valve, fitting, orturbulence created going from passing fluid from one pipe size toanother), cyclonic flow mitigates energy loss from these disruptivematerial flow attributes of material flow conduits by providing forconcentration of material flow along the centerline of material flowconduit downstream of the material flow amplifier thereby reducingsidewall drag and flow resistance.

Another advantageous aspect of material flow amplifiers in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention is providing for“soft reverse flow”. With such soft reverse flow, if there is ever aback flow surge in a system comprising one or more material flowamplifiers in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, the material flow amplifier serves to reduce the backflow(i.e., flow in the upstream direction) by at least about 50% as comparedto the material flow amplifier being absent. Such soft reverse flowbeneficially does not fully inhibit backflow, which would create a shockwave that is harmful to the structures of the material flow conduit, andto the pumping devices. In a gravity flow system this is especiallybeneficial where tide water or flooding could reverse flow in aconventional pipeline system. More specifically, in a reverse flowscenario, flowable material enters the helical flow passages from theflow mixer and then dead heads into the ‘funnel’ of the flow expander,which creates a controlled flow blockage (i.e., controlled funnel flow).In this regard, soft reverse flow is enabled by inclusion of materialflow passages defined between the exterior tubular body and thecentralizer tube.

Still another advantageous aspect of material flow amplifiers inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention is that they arefully “piggable”, as required by the certified in accordance theAmerican Petroleum Institute API-570 inspection process. The oil andpetroleum industry require components of pipeline structures to bepiggable, which is a process that includes but is not limited tocleaning and inspection of the pipeline interior by deploying a “piggingdevice” that travels within the pipeline. To this end, material flowamplifiers in accordance with embodiments of the present inventionpermit the pigging device to travel non-obtrusively therethroughregardless of the types of sections that the pipeline includes (e.g.,straight line, short radius elbows, long radius elbows, ‘Y’ fittings,laterals, ellipse, and semi-ellipse cross sections of the pipeline).

The pigging device has an elongated body with a perimeter seal at eachof its ends. The perimeter seals have a size whereby they maintainengagement with an inside diameter of a material flow conduit (e.g.,pipeline) to support a pressure drop across the length of the piggingdevice. It is this pressure drop that serves to propel the piggingdevice along then length of the material flow conduit. This being thecase, material flow amplifiers in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention are configured to maintain engagement between at leastone of the perimeter seals and the inside diameter of a material flowconduit and/or material flow amplifier. More specifically, the length ofthe centralizer tube of material flow amplifiers in accordance withembodiments of the present invention has a length that provides for suchseal with the pigging device as it enters and leaves the material flowamplifier. As the pigging device passes through the material flowamplifier, at least one of the perimeter seals is either within portionof the material flow conduit upstream or downstream of the material flowamplifier or is within the centralizer tube. In some embodiments, theflow inlet structure and/or flow outlet structure can be configured toprovide for such seal with the pigging device as it enters and/or leavesthe material flow amplifier.

Material flow amplifiers in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention can be fitted with flow monitor that can be viewed remotely.Regardless of whether the material flow amplifier is subsurface or aboveground, the flow monitor can include one or more monitoring devices(e.g., each mounted within a respective portion of an amplifier body ofthe material flow amplifier) and data can be provided therefrom forcontinuous viewing.

Material flow amplifiers in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention are useful in a variety of pipeline components such as, forexample, straight-line components, elbow components, reducing laterals,tees and the like. Material flow amplifiers in accordance withembodiments of the present invention can be installed as a fitting,retrofitted to a section of pipe, or installed into a working pipelinein sections. Material flow amplifiers in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention can be used in any right-hand or left-hand flowangles which also includes vertical up and vertical down applications.Material flow amplifiers in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention can be used for a variety of flowable materials (e.g., fluid,liquid, slurry and the like) and in transfer systems of a variety ofsizes (e.g., from about 2″ (5.08 cm) to about 16′ (4.877 meters) or morein diameter.

Although the invention has been described with reference to severalexemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have beenused are words of description and illustration, rather than words oflimitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention in all its aspects. Although theinvention has been described with reference to particular means,materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to allfunctionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses suchas are within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A material flow amplifier, comprising: anamplifier body having a flow expander, a vortex chamber and, a flowmixer all in fluid communication with each other for forming a fluidflow path therethrough, wherein the vortex chamber extends from the flowexpander and wherein the flow mixer extends from the vortex chamberwherein the flow expander, the vortex chamber and the flow mixer are allconcentric with each other and wherein a centerline axis of the vortexchamber is curved; at least one helix vane within the vortex chamberextending at least intermittently from a helix vane first end proximatethe flow expander to a helix vane second end proximate the flow mixer,wherein at least a portion of an outer edge portion of the at least onehelix vane is attached to an interior surface of the amplifier bodywithin the vortex chamber; and a centralizer tube within the amplifierbody extending at least a portion of the length of the vortex chamber,wherein at least a portion of an inner edge portion of the at least onehelix vane is attached to an exterior surface of the centralizer tube.2. The material flow amplifier of claim 1 wherein: the centralizer tubeterminates proximate the flow mixer; a length of the centralizer tube isless than a length of the vortex chamber; the flow mixer includes acylindrical portion extending from the vortex chamber; the flow mixerincludes a convergent portion extending from the cylindrical portion;and the convergent portion of the flow mixer has one of a curvedsidewall profile and a straight-taper sidewall profile.
 3. The materialflow amplifier of claim 2 wherein: the helix vane first end of said atleast one helix vane is located at a position within the vortex chamberexhibiting at least about 75% of a first expanded cross-sectional flowarea of an upstream portion of the vortex chamber; and the helix vanesecond end of one or more of the helix vanes is located within thevortex chamber.
 4. A material flow amplifier, comprising: an amplifierbody having a flow expander, a vortex chamber and, a flow mixer all influid communication with each other for forming a fluid flow paththerethrough, wherein the vortex chamber extends from the flow expanderand wherein the flow mixer extends from the vortex chamber; at least onehelix vane within the vortex chamber extending at least intermittentlyfrom a helix vane first end proximate the flow expander to a helix vanesecond end proximate the flow mixer, wherein at least a portion of anouter edge portion of the at least one helix vane is attached to aninterior surface of the amplifier body within the vortex chamber; and acentralizer tube within the amplifier body extending at least a portionof the length of the vortex chamber, wherein at least a portion of aninner edge portion of the at least one helix vane is attached to anexterior surface of the centralizer tube, wherein the centralizer tubeterminates proximate the flow mixer and wherein a length of thecentralizer tube is less than a length of the vortex chamber.
 5. Thematerial flow amplifier of claim 4 wherein a plurality of helix vaneswithin the vortex chamber each extend from a helix vane first endproximate the flow expander to a helix vane second end proximate theflow mixer.
 6. The material flow amplifier of claim 5 wherein the helixvane first end of one or more of the helix vanes is located at aposition within the vortex chamber exhibiting at least about 75% of afirst expanded cross-sectional flow area of an upstream portion of thevortex chamber.
 7. The material flow amplifier of claim 6 wherein thehelix vane second end of one or more of the helix vanes is locatedwithin the vortex chamber.
 8. The material flow amplifier of claim 4wherein the centralizer tube has a cross-sectional flow area along anentire length thereof at least about the same as a cross-sectional flowarea of a flow inlet structure connected to an inlet portion of the flowexpander.
 9. The elbow flow amplifier of claim 4 wherein: an upstreamportion of the vortex chamber has a first expanded cross-sectional flowarea; and a downstream portion of the vortex chamber has a secondexpanded cross-sectional flow area smaller than the first expandedcross-sectional flow area.
 10. The material flow amplifier of claim 4wherein the flow mixer includes a cylindrical portion extending from thevortex chamber.
 11. The material flow amplifier of claim 10 wherein theflow mixer includes a convergent portion extending from the cylindricalportion.
 12. The material flow amplifier of claim 11 wherein theconvergent portion has one of a curved sidewall profile and astraight-taper sidewall profile.
 13. The material flow amplifier ofclaim 11 wherein the convergent portion has one of a curved sidewallprofile and a straight-taper sidewall profile.
 14. An elbow flowamplifier, comprising: an amplifier body having a flow inlet structure,a flow expander, a curved vortex chamber, a flow mixer and a flow outletstructure all in fluid communication with each other for forming a fluidflow path therethrough, wherein the flow expander extends from the flowinlet structure, wherein the vortex chamber extends from the flowexpander, wherein the flow mixer extends from the vortex chamber andwherein the flow outlet structure extends from the flow mixer; aplurality of helix vanes within the vortex chamber extending at leastpartially from a helix vane first end proximate the flow expander to ahelix vane second end proximate the flow mixer, wherein an outer edgeportion of each of the helix vanes is attached to an interior surface ofthe amplifier body within the vortex chamber and wherein each of thehelix vanes includes a material impinging surface oriented at an angleof incidence to the flowable material entering the vortex chamber fromthe flow expander; and a curved centralizer tube within the amplifierbody extending at least a portion of the length of the curved vortexchamber, wherein an inner edge portion of each of the helix vanes isattached to an exterior surface of the curved centralizer tube andwherein a centerline axis of the curved centralizer tube extends along acenterline axis of the curved vortex chamber.
 15. The elbow flowamplifier of claim 14 wherein the helix vane first end of one or more ofthe helix vanes is located at a position within the vortex chamberexhibiting at least about 75% of a first expanded cross-sectional flowarea of an upstream portion of the vortex chamber.
 16. The elbow flowamplifier of claim 14 wherein the centralizer tube has a cross-sectionalflow area along an entire length thereof at least about the same as anominal cross-sectional flow area of the flow inlet structure.
 17. Theelbow flow amplifier of claim 14 wherein the flow inlet structure, theflow expander, the vortex chamber, the flow mixer and the flow outletstructure are all concentric with each other.
 18. The elbow flowamplifier of claim 14 wherein: the centralizer tube terminates proximatethe flow mixer; a length of the centralizer tube is less than a lengthof the vortex chamber; the flow mixer includes a cylindrical portionextending from the vortex chamber; the flow mixer includes a convergentportion extending from the cylindrical portion; and the convergentportion of the flow mixer has one of a curved sidewall profile and astraight-taper sidewall profile.
 19. The elbow flow amplifier of claim14 wherein: an upstream portion of the vortex chamber has a firstexpanded cross-sectional flow area; and a downstream portion of thevortex chamber has a second expanded cross-sectional flow area smallerthan the first expanded cross-sectional flow area.
 20. A material flowamplifier, comprising: a flow inlet structure with a downstream portionthereof having a nominal cross-sectional flow area; a flow expander withan upstream portion thereof attached to and concentric with thedownstream portion of the flow inlet structure, wherein the flowexpander has a downstream portion thereof having a first expandedcross-sectional flow area relative to the nominal cross-sectional flowarea; a vortex flow inducer comprises an exterior tubular body, acentralizer tube, and at least one at least one helical flow passage,wherein an upstream portion of the exterior tubular body is attached toand concentric with a downstream portion of the flow expander, whereinthe centralizer tube extends at least a portion of the length of theexterior tubular body and wherein the at least one helical flow passageextends between the exterior tubular body and the centralizer tube andextends at least partially along a length of the centralizer tube,wherein a centerline axis of the centralizer tube extends along acenterline axis of the exterior tubular body, wherein the centralizertube has a cross-sectional flow area along an entire length thereof atleast about the same as the nominal cross-sectional flow area terminatesproximate the flow mixer and has a length of the centralizer tube isless than a length of the vortex chamber; a flow mixer with an upstreamportion thereof having a second expanded cross-sectional flow areaattached to and concentric with a downstream portion of the exteriortubular body, wherein the second expanded cross-sectional flow area issmaller than the first expanded cross-sectional flow area, wherein atleast the upstream portion of the flow mixer is cylindrical; wherein theflow mixer includes a cylindrical portion extending from the vortexchamber, wherein the flow mixer includes a convergent portion extendingfrom the cylindrical portion and wherein the convergent portion has oneof a curved sidewall profile and a straight-taper sidewall profile; anda flow outlet structure with an upstream portion thereof attached to andconcentric with a downstream portion of the flow mixer and wherein theflow outlet structure has a downstream portion with a cross-sectionalflow area at least about the same as the nominal cross-sectional flowarea.
 21. The material flow amplifier of claim 20 wherein the at leastone helical flow passage is at least partially defined by a helix vanehaving a helix vane first end proximate the flow expander to a helixvane second end proximate the flow mixer.
 22. The material flowamplifier of claim 20 wherein a plurality of helical flow passages eachextend between the exterior tubular body and the centralizer.
 23. Thematerial flow amplifier of claim 22 wherein each of the helical flowpassages is at least partially defined by spaced apart helix vanes eachhaving a helix vane first end proximate the flow expander to a helixvane second end proximate the flow mixer.